Senate delays action on Alabama immigration law

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama Senate on
Thursday night delayed action on changes to the state's immigration law as sponsors of the
law disagreed over the section dealing with E-Verify and penalties
for companies that hire illegal immigrants.

Legislators said they don't expect debate on the
bill tonight which would put off a
vote until the final frenetic day of the 2012 legislative session.

Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, who introduced a substitute immigration law Wednesday, said the
disagreement is over Section 15 --
the section dealing with E-Verify. Beason said
House members want to alter that
section and he wants to leave it alone.

Beason said courts have not blocked enforcement of that section, and he would like to leave it untouched in case another employment
section is tossed by the courts.

"We know we will have one employer provision if
something happens to (the other). I think that is reasonable," Beason said.

"After thinking about it more and talking to my
counsel, it's just better to leave that alone," Beason said.

House bill sponsor Rep. Micky Hammon, R-Decatur
said, there are "necessary" changes requested in that section that would give
judges' discretion over penalties so
the accidental hiring of an illegal alien is not treated the same as an
intentional hiring.

"The disagreement is some people are afraid if
we change one word in this bill it will go back to court and be thrown out. I'm saying we need to have a bill that is workable and enforceable for
the state of Alabama and not be afraid of their own shadows," Hammon said.

He expressed frustration that that the Senate has not moved on any version of changes to the law.

"We have one day left. So if there are Republican
senators who intend to kill this bill and not pass it, they have a very good chance
of doing that if you bring a bill up on the last day," Hammon said.

"My message is: Illegal immigrants are coming back to the state
of Alabama right now because parts of our bill have been blocked by the court. ...
If this bill does not pass next Wednesday, the illegal immigrants will continue
to come back to the state of Alabama," Hammon said.

Senators began work on the General Fund budget tonight.

Beason said he had hoped for a vote tonight, but a delay could give senators more time to evaluate the legislation.